If you have different types and either of you catches a second type, symptoms will probably be slight or non-existent. This is because the antibodies for one type will have some immediate effect on the other type as well. It is called ‘partial protection’.
Not only can herpes be spread if there is no sore, MOST herpes is transmitted in the absence of lesions! It is now estimated that over 80% of all genital herpes is transmitted when there isn't anything on the skin and no symptoms. Patients have been aware for many years that if they kissed someone while having a fever blister or had sex with their partner while having an outbreak of genital herpes that they were likely to transmit the virus. Despite this knowledge, however, a 30% increase in the prevalence of HSV 2 infections was documented in the 1980s and 1990s. This increase is most likely due to the presence of HSV on the genital skin in the absence of lesions or symptoms. This phenomenon is known as "asymptomatic viral shedding" and has been demonstrated in well-controlled clinical investigations. Most recently, persons who never recall having had an outbreak of genital herpes, but who have had positive blood tests for antibodies to herpes, also have been demonstrated to "shed" the virus occasionally from lips or genital skin. It has been demonstrated that persons who take acyclovir daily have reduced amounts of the virus in the absence of symptoms or lesions. The same is probably true of the newer drugs, famciclovir and valacyclovir. It is logical that taking one of these three drugs everyday would reduce the chances of passing the virus to an uninfected partner, but this has not yet been proven.
. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton
Road, Atlanta, GA 30333. The CDC is the . government authority for
information about infectious and other diseases. The CDC's
division of STD prevention offers information about genital herpes and
how to prevent it and other sexually transmitted diseases, as well as a
hotline to call for questions about herpes and other STDs.
Telephone 800-227-8922
http:///std
Serologic (blood) tests can identify antibodies that are specific for either herpes virus simplex 1 (HSV-1) or herpes virus simplex 2 (HSV-2). When the herpes virus infects someone, their body’s immune system produces specific antibodies to fight off the infection. If a blood test detects antibodies to herpes, it’s evidence that you have been infected with the virus, even if the virus is in a non-active (dormant) state. The presence of antibodies to herpes also indicates that you are a carrier of the virus and might transmit it to others.
Herpetic stromal keratitis is treated initially with prednisolone drops every 2 hours accompanied by a prophylactic antiviral drug: either topical antiviral or an oral agent such as acyclovir or valacyclovir. The prednisolone drops are tapered every 1–2 weeks depending on the degree of clinical improvement. Topical antiviral medications are not absorbed by the cornea through an intact epithelium, but orally administered acyclovir penetrates an intact cornea and anterior chamber. In this context, oral acyclovir might benefit the deep corneal inflammation of disciform keratitis. [6]
These viruses look identical under the microscope, and either type can infect the mouth or genitals. In the 1960's, the distinction was made that HSV-1 occurs above the waist, and HSV-2 below, but genital HSV-1 infections are increasing.
Herpes Simplex Type 1 (HSV-1) is the virus usually responsible for oral herpes or cold sores. If you receive unprotected oral sex from someone who has (HSV-1) cold sores, you can get genital herpes, or HSV-1 on your genitals.
Herpes Simplex Type 2 (HSV-2) or genital herpes is usually below the waist, but if you perform oral sex on someone who has HSV-2 genital sores, you can get HSV-2 on your face and mouth area.
HSV can also infect other parts of the body. Some other areas could be the eyes and the brain. Herpes Encephalitis is herpes in the brain. Very rare, and only affecting 2 per million, encephalitis is very dangerous and can cause a sore throat, headache, fever, vomitng, coma, and even death if left untreated.
Serologic (blood) tests can identify antibodies that are specific for either herpes virus simplex 1 (HSV-1) or herpes virus simplex 2 (HSV-2). When the herpes virus infects someone, their body’s immune system produces specific antibodies to fight off the infection. If a blood test detects antibodies to herpes, it’s evidence that you have been infected with the virus, even if the virus is in a non-active (dormant) state. The presence of antibodies to herpes also indicates that you are a carrier of the virus and might transmit it to others.